Electric switchboard with rocker movable contact mounted on a wheel

ABSTRACT

A switchboard having a base with parallel grooves and flat lateral strips spacing the grooves, electrical conductive rods positioned in the grooves, and a contact blade secured to one end of a lever mounted on a programming wheel so that the blade contacts a rod in a groove when the programming wheel bottoms on the opposite sides of a groove. Conductive rails, normal to the conductive rods, can be secured to the switchboard to coact with a contact plate, in electrical contact with the contact blade, which is urged against the rails with a coiled spring coacting between the contact plate and the contact blade.

United States Patent Yancey [451 June 13, 1972 [54] ELECTRIC SWITCHBOARD WITH FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS ROCKER MOVABLE CONTACT 116,342 12/1900 Germany ..200/16 R MOUNTED ON A WHEEL 833,599 4/1960 Great Britain ..200/16 R [72] Inventor: Le Roy D. Yancey, Bountiful City, Utah Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer [73] Asslgnee. Ma or Corporation, Chicago, Ill. Assistant Examiner Roben A Vanderhye [22] Filed: March 9, 1967 Attorney-C. Harvey Gold 1. ,9 [211 App 621 84 57 ABSTRACT 52] us. or... ..200/16 c, 200/5 R, 338/155 A Switchboard having a base with parallel grooves and flat [51] Int. Cl. ..1I01h 15/06 lateral strips Spacing the grooves electrical conductive rods 5 Field f Search zoo/16 6 A, 4 5 5 A, 16 B positioned in the grooves, and a contact blade secured to one 200/166 A, 165; 338/155, 157, 158; 317/115 end of a lever mounted on a programming wheel so that the blade contacts a rod in a groove when the programming wheel [56] R fer n (319d bottoms on the opposite sides of a groove. Conductive rails, normal to the conductive rods, can be secured to the UNITED STATES PATENTS switchboard to coact with a contact plate, in electrical contact R24,586 l/1959 Davis ..200/16 C with the contact blade, which is urged against the rails with a 2,487,199 1 1949 Tiicomb- R coiled spring coacting between the contact plate and the con- 2,612,557 9/1952 Turner ..200/16 R X tact b1 d 3,146,320 8/l964 Wang et al. ..200/5 R 3,299,226 l/1967 Edwards ..200/16 R 16 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures 92 e0 1 2 ////m mm e4 ''if so as as 90 P'A'IENTEIJJUH 13 1912 3,670.1 17

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IFIG Q LeROY D.Y NCEY HIS ATTORNEY ELECTRIC SWITCHBOARD WITH ROCKER MOVABLE CONTACT MOUNTED ON A WHEEL This invention relates to an electric switchboard, and in particular, to an electric switchboard for providing a selection of different voltages for controlling electric lights and the like.

It is often desirable to change electric lights from one preset intensity level to another. Particularly, in the case of theater lights the illumination requirements are often different from one scene to another, or within a scene. Accordingly, switchboards are used with such lights to accurately and precisely set their intensity level during the different scenes. It is also common practice to shift a light or a bank of lights from one dimmer to another with any given light or bank adapted to be connected through the switchboard to any of a number of dimmers.

It is the principle object of this invention to provide an electric switchboard for connecting lights to any one of a number of electrical sources which switchboard overcomes the defects and disadvantages heretofore found in such devices.

Another object of this invention is to provide an electrical switchboard which is inexpensive to manufacture and simple in design.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a switchboard for connecting different lights or sets of lights to a dimmer.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an electrical switchboard which is adapted to connect lights from one power source to another without contacting intermediary sources.

Still other objects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the invention is better understood by reference to the detailed description appearing hereinafter.

Briefly, the invention is an electric switchboard comprising a base having a top face with grooves provided therein and flat lateral strips spacing said grooves, electrical conductive rods positioned in the grooves at their bottom, and a contact blade secured to one end of a lever mounted on an indexing wheel wherein said contact blade is positioned to contact an electrical conductive rod in a groove when the wheel bottoms on the opposite side edges of a groove. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, a top plate is provided over said base and spaced apart therefrom having parallel slots normal to said conductive rods and conductive rails are mounted in the switchboard adjacent to said slots. A contact blade, in electrical contact with the contact blade, is positioned against the conductive rails with biasing means which urges the contact blade into contact with the electrical conductor in the bottom of the grooves while holding the contact plate firmly against the conductive rails.

So that the invention may be more readily understood and carried into effect, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which are offered by way of example only and are not to be taken as limiting the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims, which obviously embrace equivalent structures and processes.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the switchboard of this invention connected to various loads and to current adjusting means.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the top side of the switchboard of this invention. For purposes of clarity, the top plate covering a portion of the switchboard is shown broken away.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view of a groove in the switchboards base with a conductive rod in the groove.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the preferred indexing switch of this invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the switchboard shown in FIG. 2 taken along the plane of line 5-5.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the switchboard shown in FIG. 2 taken along the plane of line 6-6.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the preferred indexing switch shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. Sis a plan view of a modified indexing switch mounted for use in the switchboard frame of this invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of the end of the switchboard of this invention showing the conductive rail and its relationship to the top plate and end supports of the switchboard frame.

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of the switchboards base with conducting bars alternately spaced in shallow grooves.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is schematically shown an electric switchboard for connecting lights 10, 12, and 14, such as conventional theater lights, to dimmers I6, 18, 20, and 22 or directly to lines 24 and 26 so that said lights may have full line voltage applied to them, e.g., llO volts, 220 volts, etc. The dimmers are connected between power lines 24 and 26 and conductive rods 30 and the lights are connected between conductive rails 30, 32 and 34 and power line 28. Said rails 30,32 and 34 are adapted to be connected to any of the bars 36 of the switchboard with indexing switches 38, 40 and 42 which are in sliding contact with the rails and point contact with said bars 36. Thus, each of the lights can be connected to any one of the dimmers, or full line voltage, and they all can be simultaneously connected to the same dimmer. The dimmers can be conventional potentiometers, rheostats, auto-transformers, or the like, which can be adjusted to pass different voltages.

Referring specifically to the switchboard, electrical conducting bars 36 are fitted in evenly spaced parallel slots or grooves 44 which are cut in raised longitudinal central portion 46 of base 48. As shown in FIG. 2, the slots extend across the entire width of the central portion, and on each side of this portion, cut portions 50 are provided for cable terminals 52 which are connected to said electrical conducting bars 36. Grooves 44 are cut deep into the central portion to form spaced sidewalls 45 and 47 which are sized to receive a conducting bar 36 therebetween. The conducting bar is preferably recessed in the groove between its opposite spaced sidewalls 45 and 47 for a sufficient depth to form an air space or chamber 49 below the face of said midportion 46 and above the top of the conducting bar. The chamber is used as an indexing chamber. As shown in FIG. 10, the conducting bars can be alternately spaced in grooves 44 when it is desired to size said grooves so that the top of a conducting bar 30 is substantially flush with the top surface of base 48, i.e., when grooves are used without an indexing chamber. When a structure of this type is used the alternately spaced grooves, without conducting bars provided therein, are used as indexing or programming grooves. Between the grooves are strips 54 spacing the conducting bars 36. Said strips 54, like said grooves 44, are parallel and evenly spaced over intermediate portion 46. Grooves 44 may be considered to be formed by the sides of strips 54. Preferably, the terminals of successive bars are alternately positioned in cut portions 50 which are on opposite sides of central portion 46 thereby permitting a close arrangement of the bars while still providing space around each terminal 52 for connecting an electrical cable thereto.

Each of the conducting bars 36 are adapted to be electrically connected with an indexing switch, hereinafter described, to rails 30, 32, and 34. The rails are spaced apart from base 48 in a position substantially parallel and normal to strips 54. Said rails are secured to the switchboard with end supports 56 and 58 which are secured to the opposite ends of base 48. Support 56 and 58 are notched to receive said rails 30, 32, and 34 and hold them in a fixed position. Rails 30, 32, and 34 are preferably made of an electrical conductive metal wire such as aluminum, copper, iron, and the like, and are preferably constructed with two legs, i.e., two wires positioned side by side. Top plate 60 is secured to the top ends of end supports 56 and 58 and is used to hold the rails substantially parallel with the top face of strips 54, i.e., the top face of base 48. In addition, parallel slots 62, 64, and 66 are provided in top plate 60 which extend along the longitudinal length of said plate to act as directing means for directing the movement of the indexing switches substantially normal to lateral strips 54 as the indexing switch rolls over base 48. When rails are used having two legs the slots are positioned between the legs of the rail. Said slots are provided in the top plate for the purpose of guiding the movement of the indexing switch previously referred to herein. The legs of the rail, positioned on each side of an associated slot, provide two longitudinal contacting surfaces extending the length of the switchboard for coaction with said indexing switch. Each rail is bent over end support 58 and is secured to a terminal 68 for connecting said rail to electrical cables. As shown in FIGS. 2 and S, spacers 70 can be connected to top plate 60 between slots 62 and 64 and between slots 64 and 66 to provide a chamber which isolates sparks formed when the indexing switch moves along the rails.

An indexing switch of the type shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 is used to complete an electrical circuit between any conducting bar 36 and rails 30, 32, and 34. The switch comprises a blade 72, preferably made from a high conductive metal such as silver alloy, and the like, sized to fit into a groove 44 and contact conducting rod 36. Blade 72 is preferably mounted to one end of lever 74 and the other end of the lever is sized to protrude through one of the slots in top plate 60, e.g., slot 62. The midportion of lever 74 is secured to shaft 76, which serves as an axis of rotation for the lever and also as a center axis for wheels 80 and 82. The wheels rotate about and/or on said shaft 76 and are adapted to roll along their circumferential edge over the top face of base 48 on strips 54 and grooves 44 and are maintained normal to said strips and grooves with the end of lever 74 which passes through a slot in top face 60. When wheels 80 and 82 bottom between sidewalls 45 and 47 of a groove 44 having a conducting rod recessed therein or between the sidewalls of an indexing groove, lever 74 is sized so that blade 72 moves into contact with a conducting rod 36 in a groove spaced apart from the groove in which said wheels are bottomed. The portion of lever 74 which extends through a slot in top plate 60 is sized so that said lever will freely move through the slot along its entire length while being held substantially normal to strips 54 and grooves 44. Since strips 54 and grooves 44 are evenly spaced, wherever wheels 80 and 82 bottombetween the opposite sidewalls of said grooves, blade 72 is positioned to fall into contact with a conducting rod 36 within a groove. Since blade 72 is spaced apart from the wheels, extra grooves are provided without a conductive rod 36 positioned therein, as shown in FIG. 5, so that blade72 is programmed to contact any given conductive rod.

Contact plate 84, constructed from a high electrically conductive material of the type described with respect to blade 72, is sized to slide on a rail 30, 32, or 34 and form an electrical contact therewith. Preferably, said plate 84 is sized to slide on each of the legs which make up a rail. The legs of the rail can be used to guide the indexing switch along a predetermined path as it is rolled over the top face of base 48. Thecontact is secured to the indexing switch in any conventional fashion, e.g., plate 84 is secured to arm 86 which, as shown in FIG. 3, is pivotally mounted at one end to shaft 76. Biasing means such as compressed coiled spring 88 is positioned between arm 86 and lever 74 to urge contact 84 against the legs of a rail while urging blade 72 into contact with a conductive rod. Said contact plate 84 is maintained in electrical contact with bar 72 by connecting plate 84 and blade 72 with flexible conductive wire 90.

In operation, cap 92, referred to herein as the activation switch, attached to the end of lever 74 which protrudes through a slot in top plate 60, is depressed to thereby lift blade 72 away from the conducting rod 36 recessed in a groove 44. The activation switch is then moved in a predetermined direction and lever 74 moves in the slot through which it protrudes until wheels 80 and 82 have bottomed between the sidewalls of a predetermined groove. The activation switch is then released whereupon spring 80 urges blade 72 into contact with a conductive rod 36 and an electrical connection is formed between the rod and the rail on which contact plate 84 of the indexing switch is in contact.

Another type of indexing switch which is within the scope of this invention is shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment of the invention, lever 74 mounted on wheels 80 and 82 is used in the fashion previously described. Contact plate 84 is, however, connected to plunger 94 which is sized to move within sleeve 96 attached to lever 74. Biasing means such as coil spring 88 urges plunger 94 upwardly out of sleeve 96 to thereby force contact plate 84 against a rail while simultaneously forcing blade 72 downwardly against a conductive rod 36 within groove 44. The device shown in FIG. 8 operates in the fashion previously described, i.e., activation switch 92 is depressed to lift blade 72 away from conducting rod 36 and the indexing switch is then urged to a new position wherein blade 72 moves downwardly against another conducting rod when wheels and 82 bottom against the sidewalls of a groove. In all instances the helical or coiled spring used to urge contact plate 84 and blade 72 is under compression when the contact and the blade are in a conductive position thereby creating a pressure which maintains contact 84 against a rail and also forces blade 72 firmly against a bar 36.

In the drawings, a switchboard is shown having three indexing switches. However, it is to be noted that the width of central portion 46 of base plate 48 can be increased and bars 36 lengthened so that any number of switches can be used thereby increasing the number of light loads which may be connected to the switchboard. In addition, central portion 46 can also be lengthened to increase the number of conductive rods available for use. The parallel arrangement of the bars and rails lateral to the bars permits a wide combination of lights and dimmers with a minimum of interconnecting wires. Changes from dimmer to dimmer may be made rapidly and accurately without engaging any intermediate bars. The switchboard of this invention is inexpensive to construct since the indexing switches are preferably constructed mainly from plastic. This also prevents electrical shorts as well as providing a switchboard that is adapted to handle high voltages while remaining safe to operate, i.e., the lights may be transferred from one dimmer to another without exposing operating personnel to any current carrying members. It is to be noted that while it is not intended to limit this invention to the control of light, this is the preferred use.

Whereas there is here illustrated and specifically described a certain preferred construction which is generally regarded as the best mode of carrying out the invention, it should be understood that various changes can be made and other construction adopted without departing from the inventive subject matter particularly pointed out and claimed.

I claim:

l. A switchboard comprising a base having evenly spaced grooves withspaced sidewalls and having fiat strips spacing said grooves; electrically conductive means positioned in at least one of said grooves between said sidewalls; and an indexing switch mounted on said base having a lever rotatably mounted on a wheel, adapted to roll over the top face of said base on said fiat strips spacing said grooves, and a contacting blade secured to said lever at a position adapted to move into contact with electrically conductive means positioned between the sidewalls of a first one of said grooves when said wheel bottoms are between the sidewalls of a second one of said grooves spaced apart from said first one of said grooves and form an electrical contact with said electrically conductive means wherein said contacting blade is lifted away from said conductive means positioned between the sidewalls of said first one of said grooves by rotating said lever.

2. The switchboard of claim 1 wherein said lever has a first end, an opposite second end, and a midportion between said first and second ends, and said lever is mounted to said wheel proximate said midportion with said contacting blade secured to said lever proximate said first end wherein said contacting blade is lifted away from electrically conductive means in a groove by depressing the second end of said lever.

3. The switchboard of claim 2 wherein said sidewalls of said grooves are generally parallel opposing walls and said grooves are recessed into said base a sufficient depth to receive electrically conductive means and provide an indexing chamber above said electrically conductive means.

4. The switchboard of claim 1 wherein directing means are secured to said base for directing the movement of said indexing switch substantially normal to said lateral strips as said switch rollson said wheel over said base.

5. The switchboard of claim 4 wherein said lever has a first end, an opposite second end, and a midportion between said first and second ends, and said lever is mounted to said wheel proximate said midportion with said contacting blade secured to said lever proximate said first end wherein said contacting blade is lifted away from electrically conductive means in a groove by depressing the second end of said lever.

6. The switchboard of claim 5 wherein said sidewalls of said grooves are generally parallel opposing walls and said grooves are recessed into said base a sufficient depth to receive electrically conductive means and provide an indexing chamber above said electrically conductive means.

7. The switchboard of claim 6 wherein said directing means comprises an elongated slot, normal to said flat strips spacing said grooves, in a top plate secured to said base spaced apart from said top face, wherein said second end of said lever passes through said slot and is held in a predetermined position as said indexing switch is rolled along said top face of said base over said flat strips spacing said grooves.

8. The switchboard of claim 1 wherein conductive rail means are secured to said base, spaced above said top face of said base and normal to said flat strips spacing said grooves, and a contacting plate, secured to said indexing switch, and in electrical contact with said contacting blade, is held in sliding contact with said conductive rail means as said indexing switch rolls over said top face of said base on said flat strips spacing said grooves.

9. The switchboard of claim 8 wherein said lever has a first end, an opposite second end, and a midportion between said first and second ends, and said lever is mounted to said wheel proximate said midportion with said contacting blade secured to said lever proximate said first end wherein said contacting blade is lifted away from electrically conductive means in a groove by depressing the second end of said lever.

10. The switchboard of claim 9 wherein biasing means are positioned between said first end of said lever and said contacting plate to urge said contacting plate against said conductive rail means and to urge said contacting blade against an electrically conductive rod in a groove.

11. The switchboard of claim 10 wherein said electrically conductive rail means comprises a conductive leg positioned on opposite sides of said second end of said lever wherein said second end of said lever is held in a predetermined position by the conductive legs as said indexing switch is rolled along said top face of said base over said flat strips spacing said grooves.

12. The switchboard of claim 10 wherein directing means are secured to said base for directing the movement of said indexing switch substantially normal to said lateral strips as said switch rolls on said wheel over said base.

13. The switchboard of claim 12 wherein said sidewalls of said grooves are generally parallel opposing walls and said grooves are recessed into said base a sufficient depth to receive electrically conductive means and provide an indexing chamber above said electrically conductive means.

14. The switchboard of claim 13 wherein said directing means comprises an elongated slot, normal to said flat strips spacing said grooves, in a top plate secured to said base spaced apart from said top face, wherein said second end of said lever passes through said slot and is held in a predetermined position as said indexing switch is rolled along said top face of said base over said flat strips spacing said grooves.

15. The switchboard of claim 14 wherein said electrically conductive rail means comprises a conductive leg positioned on opposite sides of said second end of said lever and between said top face of said base and said top plate.

16. A switchboard comprising a base having evenly spaced grooves with spaced sidewalls and having flat strips spacing said grooves; electrically conductive means positioned in at least one of said rooves between said sidewalls; and a switch mounted on said ase having a lever rotatably mounted on a wheel, adapted to roll over the top face of said base on said flat strips spacing said grooves, and a contacting blade secured to said lever at a position adapted to move into contact with electrically conductive means positioned between the sidewalls of one of said grooves and form an electrical contact with said electrically conductive means wherein said contacting blade is lifted away from said conductive means positioned between the sidewalls of said one of said grooves by rotating said lever. 

1. A switchboard comprising a base having evenly spaced grooves with spaced sidewalls and having flat strips spacing said grooves; electrically conductive means positioned in at least one of said grooves between said sidewalls; and an indexing switch mounted on said base having a lever rotatably mounted on a wheel, adapted to roll over the top face of said base on said flat strips spacing said grooves, and a contacting blade secured to said lever at a position adapted to move into contact with electrically conductive means positioned between the sidewalls of a first one of said grooves when said wheel bottoms are between the sidewalls of a second one of said grooves spaced apart from said first one of said grooves and form an electrical contact with said electrically conductive means wherein said contacting blade is lifted away from said conductive means positioned between the sidewalls of said first one of said grooves by rotating said lever.
 2. The switchboard of claim 1 wherein said lever has a first end, an opposite second end, and a midportion between said first and second ends, and said lever is mounted to said wheel proximate said midportion with said contacting blade secured to said lever proximate said first end wherein said contacting blade is lifted away from electrically conductive means in a groove by depressing the second end of said lever.
 3. The switchboard of claim 2 wherein said sidewalls of said grooves are generally parallel opposing walls and said grooves are recessed into said base a sufficient depth to receive electrically conductive means and provide an indexing chamber above said electrically conductive means.
 4. The switchboard of claim 1 wherein directing means are secured to said base for directing the movement of said indexing switch substantially normal to said lateral strips as said switch rolls on said wheel over said base.
 5. The switchboard of claim 4 wherein said lever has a first end, an opposite second end, and a midportion between said first and second ends, and said lever is mounted to said wheel proximate said midportion with said contacting blade secured to said lever proximate said first end wherein said contacting blade is lifted away from electrically conductive means in a groove by depressing the second end of said lever.
 6. The switchboard of claim 5 wherein said sidewalls of said grooves are generally parallel opposing walls and said grooves are recessed into said base a sufficient depth to receive electrically conductive means and provide an indexing chamber above said electrically conductive means.
 7. The switchboard of claim 6 wherein said directing means comprises an elongated slot, normal to said flat strips spacing said grooves, in a top plate secured to said base spaced apart from said top face, wherein said second end of said lever passes through said slot and is held in a predetermined position as said indexing switch is rolled along said top face of said base over said flat strips spacing said grooves.
 8. The switchboard of claim 1 wherein conductive rail means are secured to said base, spaced above said top face of said base and normal to said flat strips spacing said grooves, and a contacting plate, secured to said indexing switch, and in electrical contact with said Contacting blade, is held in sliding contact with said conductive rail means as said indexing switch rolls over said top face of said base on said flat strips spacing said grooves.
 9. The switchboard of claim 8 wherein said lever has a first end, an opposite second end, and a midportion between said first and second ends, and said lever is mounted to said wheel proximate said midportion with said contacting blade secured to said lever proximate said first end wherein said contacting blade is lifted away from electrically conductive means in a groove by depressing the second end of said lever.
 10. The switchboard of claim 9 wherein biasing means are positioned between said first end of said lever and said contacting plate to urge said contacting plate against said conductive rail means and to urge said contacting blade against an electrically conductive rod in a groove.
 11. The switchboard of claim 10 wherein said electrically conductive rail means comprises a conductive leg positioned on opposite sides of said second end of said lever wherein said second end of said lever is held in a predetermined position by the conductive legs as said indexing switch is rolled along said top face of said base over said flat strips spacing said grooves.
 12. The switchboard of claim 10 wherein directing means are secured to said base for directing the movement of said indexing switch substantially normal to said lateral strips as said switch rolls on said wheel over said base.
 13. The switchboard of claim 12 wherein said sidewalls of said grooves are generally parallel opposing walls and said grooves are recessed into said base a sufficient depth to receive electrically conductive means and provide an indexing chamber above said electrically conductive means.
 14. The switchboard of claim 13 wherein said directing means comprises an elongated slot, normal to said flat strips spacing said grooves, in a top plate secured to said base spaced apart from said top face, wherein said second end of said lever passes through said slot and is held in a predetermined position as said indexing switch is rolled along said top face of said base over said flat strips spacing said grooves.
 15. The switchboard of claim 14 wherein said electrically conductive rail means comprises a conductive leg positioned on opposite sides of said second end of said lever and between said top face of said base and said top plate.
 16. A switchboard comprising a base having evenly spaced grooves with spaced sidewalls and having flat strips spacing said grooves; electrically conductive means positioned in at least one of said grooves between said sidewalls; and a switch mounted on said base having a lever rotatably mounted on a wheel, adapted to roll over the top face of said base on said flat strips spacing said grooves, and a contacting blade secured to said lever at a position adapted to move into contact with electrically conductive means positioned between the sidewalls of one of said grooves and form an electrical contact with said electrically conductive means wherein said contacting blade is lifted away from said conductive means positioned between the sidewalls of said one of said grooves by rotating said lever. 